UGC accords reception to three National Professors

Staff Correspondent
University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh on Monday accorded grand reception to the three newly-appointed National Professors at a ceremony held at the UGC building.
The three profesors are– Professor Emeritus Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Professor Emeritus Dr. Anisuzzaman and Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury. They were accorded reception for their enviable achievements and contribution in many areas of human activities.
At about 3:00pm, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid graced the reception ceremony as the Chief Guest while education secretary (Secondary and Higher Education Division) Md Sohrab Hossain was present as special guest.
UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan presided over the ceremony while UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Khaled delivered the address of welcome.
Terming National Professors as lighthouse of knowledge, the Education Minister said, “The nation and country has been enlightened by their knowledge, skills and wisdom. The National Professors represent an epitome of dignity, conscience, patriotism, devotion and the very essence of human values.”
He thanked the UGC for organizing such a programme to accord the reception to the renowned educationists.
He also said that university is the storehouse of knowledge where new knowledge will be created and it will be disseminated among the stakeholders.
Laying emphasis on education to take the country forward, Nahid said the budgetary allocation has been increased in research in excellence of higher education and in creation of new knowledge. Sohrab Hossain said, government has recognised the deserving people for this position. The three professors have taught the nation honesty and sincerely throughout their lives.
While speaking, Prof Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Prof Dr. Anisuzzaman and Prof Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury expressed their feelings and remembered their teachers and students who supported them throughout their journey. Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury said “Renowned structural engineer and architect Fazlur Rahman Khan had offered me to go abroad and work with him but I did not go abroad. The country gave me a lot; I could not get it in other countries.”
Prof Dr Anisuzzman said “The country has given me more in comparison to what I have given to the country.”
Prof Dr. Rafiqul Islam said it is because of the love and support of his teachers and students he has come so far. He thanked the government for appointing them as national professors.

UGC Chairman Prof Mannan said these eminent educationists have given correct directions to the nation at various crisis moments of the country. The people will follow the footprints of these enlightened educationists.

On June 19, the government has appointed the noted three educationists as national professors for a five year term. Earlier, the government also appointed 22 other educationists as national professors.